Columbus OH vs Utica NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Utica
33.0
Tie
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
Utica
9.7%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
Columbus
29.0%
Columbus +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
Utica
4.3%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
Utica
9.8%
Utica +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 51,054 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 33.0 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 9.7% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 29.0% | 16.9% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 4.3% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 9.8% | Utica + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
Utica
$35,780
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
Columbus +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
Columbus +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $57,688 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,780 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 9.4% | Columbus + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 23.8% | Columbus + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
Columbus +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 36.8% | Columbus + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 434 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
Utica
19.4%
Utica +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
Utica
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
Columbus +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 39.6% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 14.1% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 19.4% | Utica + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.1% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 18.7% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
Utica
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Utica
75.0%
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Utica + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
23.4 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. Columbus has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
Compare More Cities
Columbus, OH vs New York, NYColumbus, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Columbus, OHColumbus, OH vs Houston, TXColumbus, OH vs Phoenix, AZColumbus, OH vs Philadelphia, PA